Route 66 runs 2,238 miles between Chicago and Los Angeles and around 200 of those miles run through Texas. At every turn you’ll find something new and fun to see. Whether it’s a piece of original road, a classic diner, a weird roadside attraction, or an informative museum, Texas Route 66 attractions abound on the Mother Road.
Are you ready to get your kicks on Texas Route 66? Let’s check out the top 10 Texas Route 66 Attractions to see on this stretch of your road trip.
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Top 10 Texas Route 66 Attractions
Cadillac Ranch
13651 I-40 Frontage Rd, Amarillo, TX 79124
Cadillac Ranch might just be the most recognizable pit stop on Route 66. Installed by a group of San Francisco hippies dubbed “The Ant Farm” in 1974, this Texas roadside attraction has been attracting crowds ever since. In a field you’ll find ten Cadillac cars (1949-1963 models) buried nose-first in the ground and covered in colorful graffiti. Visitors are encouraged to leave their mark with a can of spray paint so no two views will ever be the same.
Conoco Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Café
1242 N Main St, Shamrock, TX 79079
The Cocono Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Café was built in 1936. Located along historic Route 66 in Shamrock, Texas, the art deco gas station and restaurant is sometimes referred to as “the Taj Mahal of Texas.” And it is easy to see why. It was even memorialized as “Ramone’s Body Shop” in the 2006 Pixar movie, Cars.
Big Texan Steak Ranch
7701 I-40 East, Amarillo, TX 79118
Looking for a roadside attraction, Route 66 icon, motel, and restaurant all rolled into one? Look no further than Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo. Outside you’ll find a bright yellow building anchored by “Big Moo” (a giant steer), “Big Tex Rex” (a dinosaur in a cowboy hat), and a 15-foot-tall cowboy boot. Inside, you can grab a typical 16-ounce Texas steak dinner, but the big draw here is the Steak Challenge that’s been offered since the 1960s: eat a 72-ounce steak along with a shrimp cocktail, baked potato, salad, and buttered roll in one hour and the $72 meal is free.
Devil’s Rope Museum
100 Kingsley St, McLean, TX 79057
The Devil’s Rope Museum celebrates all things barbed wire. Check out the giant balls of barbed wire that flank the name plaques outside, then come inside to explore a huge expanse dedicated to the fencing. Learn about the history of barbed wire and its impact on the development of the Old West while browsing displays of different types of the fence wire, artifacts and examples, salesman samples, fencing tools used to make and maintain fences, branding irons, historical documents, photographs, and wire art.
Leaning Tower of Texas
Groom, TX 79039
The Leaning Tower of Texas, also known as the Leaning Tower of Britten, is a leaning water tower located in Groom, Texas. This Texas Route 66 attraction was once a normal, functioning water tower. It was slated for demolition and Ralph Britten bought it at an auction and moved it 34 miles away to its current location to serve as an oversized sign for his truck stop and information center.
Groom Cross
I-40, Exit 112, Groom, TX 79039
The Groom Cross (officially The Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ) is a giant cross off of Interstate 40 and Route 66. You can’t miss this 190-foot-tall, 1,250-ton icon: it can be seen from 20 miles away!
Route 66 Midpoint
305 W Historic Rte 66, Adrian, TX 79001
It’s “more than two thousand miles all the way” to travel Route 66 from Chicago to California. 2,278 miles to be exact. So, it’s only fitting that at mile 1,139, there would be a place to celebrate. Visit Adrian, Texas, a town 1,139 from the starting point in Chicago and 1,139 miles from the end point in California. Be sure to check out the Route 66 Midpoint Sign and stop at the Midpoint Cafe for some ugly crust pie.
Magnolia Gas Station
105 S Main St, Vega, TX 79092
The Magnolia Gas Station in Vega, Texas was built in 1924 by Col J. T. Owen. For decades the stop fueled travelers on Route 66 and the Ozark Trail alongside locals. The two-story building allowed for the business to operate downstairs while the operator could live in an apartment upstairs.
Phillips 66 Gas Station
212 First St, McLean, TX 79057
The vintage 1929 Phillips 66 Gas Station in McLean was one of the first of its kind in Texas. It’s built in a Tudor-Revival style and resembles a cottage in its design. While the business closed in 1977 it was remodeled in 1991, complete with vintage gas pumps, an oil pump, and an historic Phillips 66 sign.
VW Slug Bug Ranch
I-40 Frontage Rd, Panhandle, TX 79068
VW Slug Bug Ranch might not be as famous as its Cadillac counterpart over at Cadillac Ranch down the road, but it is just as fun to visit. The Texas roadside attraction consists of five Volkswagen Beetles buried front first into the ground.
Want more? Check out our web story on the Best Things to See on Texas Route 66.
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